What is setup.dat? Should I remove it?

Does setup.dat file require your attention?

Setup.dat file might be associated with a trojan called Minicom (CS-Jami) virus. Dat files are used for the storage of critical information by several legitimate programs as well. As a result, this peculiarity permits the crooks to cover their tracks. Dat files may serve as the disguise for malware in spam messages since it requires users' intervention to convert it and reveal the content. Such curiosity may, later on, cost personal files or result in a system crash. The exact purpose of the setup.dat file depends on the parasite's type and implemented functions. Some threats may use setup.dat to display pop-up advertisements, track your browsing habits or contact a predetermined remote server. The key problem of such technique is that crooks try to spread doubts in users minds over the reliability of this file. More cautious users may refrain from taking any action, unsure whether it is one of the system files. Remove Setup.dat file as soon as possible.

In general, .dat files are often one of the alternative formats to video files. They might be also read as text files. Due to their flexibility, malware developers take a liking of them and place the payloads of viruses within them. Thus, Minicom trojan developers also shifted to this technique. Speaking of the very threat, its first signs were detected in 2005. At that time, it did not evolve into a bigger threat, at leats, for a while. However, after several years it was spotted again in the virtual space. Alternatively known as VBS/Minicom.A trojan, the malware mainly attacked older Windows versions: Win 95/95, 2000, 2003, and XP. Likewise, it was not considered as a highly destructive threat. After settling on the system, it affects the performance of the system. Modern trojans mainly target private data such as bank account credentials. Other forms of trojans contribute to ransomware distribution. Minicom trojan is unlikely to engage in such activities due to its low technical specifications. It may interfere with system processes and access your personal information. If you notice setup.dat and lagging Windows processes, it is high time for you to scan your device with anti-malware utility, such as FortectIntego. 

When did this file enter my device?

In some cases, setup.dat does not mean that your system is infected. The file may actually belong to some fully legitimate applications. Therefore, you need to identify whether harmless or corrupted version of setup.dat is located on the system. Computer security programs will help you identify the origin of this file. Update the program and scan the system. In some cases, trojan programs block certain system functions. As a result, you will need to enter into Safe Mode to fully conduct removal. However, things are different if you downloaded setup.dat as a file attachment pinned to an email account. Spam emails have been popular tools among felons to infect users. In this case, you will need to perform setup.dat removal right away.

Deleting setup.dat file and Minicom trojan

As mentioned before, anti-malware programs will help you decide whether the file can be trusted. If you have noticed the signs of malware invasion, perform setup.dat removal. Note that simply deleting the file will not terminate the infection entirely. Entrust this procedure to a security program. It will remove setup.dat and the trojan for you. After the procedure is finished, reboot the device and scan it again.